Gloucestershire Royal Hospital is set to enhance its backup power infrastructure following approval from Gloucester City Council planners. The hospital, located off Great Western Road, urgently needs to replace two of its four existing generators to accommodate increased electrical load and ensure reliable power during outages.
The approved upgrade involves installing larger, more powerful generators to support anticipated future growth and technological advancements within the hospital. In addition to generator replacements, associated external modifications will take place at the hospital’s energy centre. These include the installation of new ancillary equipment, removal of seven trees, minor site reconfiguration, and the addition of fuel tanks, outlet attenuators, radiators, transformers, a chimney tower, and a switch room.
City council officers confirmed that the generators will only operate during power failures or scheduled routine maintenance, with the main chimney standing 23 metres tall— a key reason the project was brought before the planning committee.
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Council members expressed strong support for the upgrade. Councillor Roseanna Marshall emphasized the necessity of robust backup systems in an age where medical technology and surgical equipment heavily rely on uninterrupted power. Councillor Andy Lewis described the project as a “no-brainer,” highlighting the risks posed if critical devices like heart monitors lose power unexpectedly. Though some concerns were raised around noise and security by Councillors Pam Tracey and Stephanie Chambers, assurances were given about environmental controls and existing security measures.
Chairperson Angela Conder noted no prior complaints regarding noise from generator testing and underscored that in emergencies, certain compromises are acceptable to protect patient safety.
The planning committee voted unanimously to approve the upgrade, securing the hospital’s ability to maintain essential operations during potential power interruptions.